Hyderabad, May 3, 2025: In a significant step towards digitizing agricultural services, the Central Government’s ‘Farmer ID’ initiative, aimed at providing every farmer with a unique digital identity similar to Aadhaar, is set to roll out in Telangana. The state government has given the green signal for its implementation, with the registration process commencing on May 5. Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) have been trained and will spearhead the collection of farmers’ details at the grassroots level. This innovative program is expected to streamline access to Central Government agricultural schemes and usher in a digital revolution in the farming sector, according to officials.
11-Digit Unique Farmer ID
The Farmer ID is a digital identity card linked to a farmer’s Aadhaar, consolidating personal and agricultural details in one place. This 11-digit unique ID will include the farmer’s name, Aadhaar number, mobile number, land ownership details (via passbook), soil type (red, black, wetland, or dryland), survey numbers, and information on crops cultivated. The ID will serve as a comprehensive digital record, enabling quick access to a farmer’s cultivation history with a single click, thus simplifying the implementation of Central Government schemes.
Registration Process
Starting May 5, AEOs across Telangana will begin collecting farmers’ details. Farmers are required to provide their Aadhaar card, land passbook, mobile number, and details of their land and crops. These details will be entered into a dedicated app developed by the Agriculture Department. Upon submission, an OTP will be sent to the farmer’s registered mobile number. Once the OTP is verified in the app, the 11-digit Farmer ID will be generated. The ID is mandatory for accessing Central Government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Soil Health Card, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. However, the Agriculture Department clarified that state schemes like Rythu Bharosa and Rythu Bima do not require the Farmer ID. Farmers are urged to participate in the registration process with their details ready.
Farmer Data Collection
According to Rythu Bharosa data, Telangana has over 70 lakh farmers, with approximately 32.11 lakh benefiting from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The state has about 1.9 crore acres of agricultural land, of which 1.5 crore acres are cultivable. Currently, rice is grown on 65 lakh acres, cotton on 50 lakh acres, and other crops, including fruit orchards, are also cultivated. Farmers must provide these cultivation details during the Farmer ID registration. The Agriculture Department has already trained AEOs to ensure a smooth registration process starting May 5. “We aim to create a Farmer ID for every farmer with agricultural land. This card will be immensely beneficial for accessing Central schemes,” said a senior Agriculture Department official.
National Farmer ID Statistics
Nationwide, PM Kisan has 10.09 crore beneficiaries, but only 5.82 crore farmers have received Farmer IDs, including 4.2 crore PM Kisan beneficiaries. Another 5.59 crore farmers are yet to be issued IDs. In Telangana, of the 32.11 lakh PM Kisan beneficiaries, 30.52 lakh have completed Aadhaar seeding and KYC, while 1.58 lakh are pending KYC. A pilot project generated Farmer IDs for 2,111 farmers, leaving 30.50 lakh IDs to be created, according to a Central Government report.
Benefits of Farmer ID
- Faster, Transparent Access: Farmer ID ensures quick and transparent access to Central scheme benefits.
- Digital Crop History: Digitized cultivation records allow instant access to a farmer’s details during natural disasters or other crises.
- Paperless Services: Eliminates repetitive documentation, enabling seamless access to services with a single ID.
- Data-Driven Policy: A digital database of farmer details aids the government in designing evidence-based agricultural policies.
The Farmer ID initiative is poised to transform Telangana’s agricultural landscape by integrating technology and enhancing service delivery for farmers.
